asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the dangers of future development in the port of Dublin pending a Government inquiry; and if, in the light of the statement by the Minister for Industry and Commerce on 13th June, 1969, regarding overall control of future plans of the Port and Docks Board for the development of the port and the setting up of an inquiry on the board's long-term plans and also in view of the statement made by him on 29th October, 1969, regarding consultation with all interests involved, he will take whatever steps are open to him, if necessary by the introduction of legislation, to prevent any further development pending the result of the Government inquiry in the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Port Development.
54.
I am not so aware. Apart from works already approved and in progress no further developments will be authorised until the long-term plans of the board have been submitted and decisions taken on them by the planning authorities and the Government.
Will decisions be taken without any regard being had to the grave objections which associations in the area have made?
As I said in my Estimate speech last week, in reply to questions raised by Deputy M. O'Leary and other Deputies, I propose to have the fullest publicity given to these plans so as to enable all local interested bodies to comment on the nature of the plans. At the moment my view is that the fullest account should be taken of all the amenity facilities that are necessary in these two areas as far as the citizens of Dublin are concerned so that industrial development appropriate to the preservation of these amenities can be carried out.
While we accept there should be no conflict between industrial development and amenities in general, if properly planned, will the Minister say what will happen to these objections before final approval is given?
They will be fully considered by me and by the Government. As I said in my reply, this is such an important matter, concerning our capital city, that the Government will be fully apprised of the matter. The fullest publicity will be given to the view of the planning authorities as well as to the views of interested parties.
I know the Minister for Industry and Commerce will back these objections.
We have been in close consultation.
I hope the Minister's other colleagues will give him every support in order to save Dublin Bay.
The Deputy can depend on that.